Monsters & Demons

Rated M

Genre: Drama & Adventure

Summary:

When Tori arrived at Hollywood Arts, she knew things wouldn't be the same. Little did she know that she and her friends would find themselves wound into more than teenage drama. Jade thought all she had to worry about was her status being threatened. Does Trina finally have a true friend? A trio of newcomers shows up, bringing along more than the gang bargained for. Homework and plays don't sound so bad anymore.

A/N:


Chapter 30: Delusions of our Hearts


"It appears that you are the one in need of a lesson in respect!"

All eyes turned to Tori Vega, slack jaws and wide eyes aplenty. It wasn't difficult to see why for the voice that spoke was not her own. This was a promising, if not concerning revelation for some, while for Jibola and Ahrya, this was an unforeseen development.

"Let me go!" the latter hissed while endeavoring desperately for release yet the girl's grip never relented.

"I thought you were stronger than this, child," The spirit breathed deeply. "All this bloodshed and you've yet to prove yourself worthy of the trickster god's power. If you can't break the grip of one who has yet to fathom the power that rests within herself, how could you hope to govern tribes?"

"You... You know nothing!"

Tori turned her head to the battle at hand, her eyes following the blinding speeds with ease. She made out the faces of the two boys, fire and ice etched on their features. No... It was something more than the original elements. The former of the pair, the one known to her host as Travis held a familiarity that struck her for a moment before returning to the sniveling girl.

"Don't I? It's clear that you're either lying about your motivations or truly ignorant to the truth!"

A hand grabbed the Latina's with malice dripping from his gaze. Tori frowned, eyeing the man with little more than that as she finally removed her hold on the girl. As if he was testing her, she chose only to break away from him, shattering more of the twisted branches that once contained her.

"What sorcery is this?!"

"Anansi... Have you truly kept this child in the dark, spider?"

For his part, Jibola forced a tense smirk as he stared down at the girl. Her defiant eyes were more than eager to challenge his assertion of dominance, flashing an amused grin at the old man.

"Who are you?"

"Still playing coy? As if your jealousy hadn't told you already, I'm the one who he chose!"

The man took a moment that only served to delay the inevitable. He knew... Rather, the spirit of his ancestor knew, its wrath bubbling from deep within their descendant. How dare she show her face now? How COULD she show her face now? Nothing made sense now.

"I presumed that you were gone with your forsaken people. It appears the sagas of your demise were as false as their belief at the end of the world."

"Still chomping on those sour grapes, are we?" she giggled. "Unfortunately, you forgot that many of my people were cast away, some as slaves and others as refugees. The bloodline was never wiped out, only weakened as have many others in various pantheons. This one happened to have a strong connection."

Jibola gritted his teeth so hard that they threatened to break.

For the first time since their arrival, he didn't have a response. His eyes widened, and his eyebrows drew together tightly with a violent twitch. Such a response only made the brunette's smile grow with each passing second. The jaguar had caught the spider with

"Well, you're too late, Awilix! The brats are still in combat and their blood will pave the way for my ultimate victory!"

"And what victory are you referring to?"

Once more, Jibola grew silent his breath catching in his throat.

"You... What are you... you implying, witch?" he finally choked out.

"We both know what I'm talking about, Anansi!" The spirit within the girl smirked, a devious revelation brewing behind those brown eyes. "This little game that you've been playing for generations is nothing more than a child's tantrum. Why else would an all-powerful spider god, or should I say goddess, commit to something this crude if not to cover their tracks?"

"Blasphemy!"

"It's true!" This time, Tori's voice countered, her eyes wide with terror. A cold sweat trailed down her face while she labored to catch her breath. "You are trying to cover up the truth by dominating their tribes! It has nothing to do with your people being taken for granted, does it?"

Jade and the others watched intently, confused and intrigued at the scene unfolding before them.

"You're nothing more than a child; a welp with delusions of a happy ending! What could you or that moon witch possibly know about what my motivations are?!"

"Because I saw everything..."

Nothing more could be said as the air above commanded their attention. The battle was still ongoing except now it had slowed enough for all eyes to see. But, their gazes were of little significance compared to the warriors before them.

Two pairs of eyes locked onto one another; a damning silence pressing all around them without mercy. Within them, cunning begets audacity, the two fought with unwavering resolve. Each move was brutal, calculating, and deliberate.

Nothing wasted.

The assassin vs the soldier was an ideal match; under any other circumstance, they would've relished the challenge but, there was too much on the line for such revelry. Travis smiled sadistically, his blood rushing with each attempt at defeating his opponent. Left. Right. Up. Down. Horizontal. Diagonal. There was no direction missed and yet, he couldn't connect with the sharp-footed Liam.

Only when he stumbled on the muddy ground did Travis manage to land a hit; a simple flying kick that staggered him. With too much distance between them, capitalizing was out of the question.

The sky above flickered with streaks of brilliance, bathing the world below in a faint glow with each flash. The thunder soon followed its silent predecessor with an intense rumbling that resonated throughout the property. The sounds of nature echoed over time while warm wet drops descended on the two opponents, neither willing to back down from the other.

On one side, stood the ever arrogant spirit of Esu housed in their vessel.

The other, a hunched-over Liam snarled at the cocky figure before him.

"Finally showing some emotion, brother?!" Travis snickered, enjoying that minute moment of triumph. "Are you going to cry next?!"

Cold droplets blanketed them respectively, creating the only immediate restricting force to the smoldering emotions swirling internally. From the sidelines, the captive audience watched, silent and helpless as monstrous pressure continued to well up around them, threatening to suffocate them with immense thickness.

Even Jibola couldn't help but flinch against the malicious pressure exuding from the teens.

Tori and Jade couldn't help but worry for their significant others as only the spirits of Aganju and Esu remained right now. Any attempt to reach them was lost in the wind as they glared at one another. The latter though feared for the soul of her best friend more than anything else.

A dark green aura pulsated around her boyfriend's form, his eyes shining with a hatred that she'd hope never to see again. While on that day she was taken aback at the viciousness behind those emerald pools, this was something on a completely different level. Now, she was witnessing the full emergence of the monster that lurked within the darkest crevices of his soul.

Growing worn of the stalemate, Travis let out a whistle as a sign of 'respect' for the power of his opponent.

"And here I thought you were too weak to be a real challenge..." he sneered.

The feral Liam took that moment to strike. Moving at blinding speeds, he managed to slip just out of the young man's line of sight, appearing behind him, poised to strike.

"It's over..." he bellowed.

He swung his fist down only to have it caught. Travis, using Liam's momentum, swung the smaller boy over his shoulder to the ground below. Before he could process what happened, he felt a boot to his midsection, forcing a howl that echoed, an offering to the ancestors above.

"I thought we were better than petty sneak attacks!"

Liam's breath hitched in his throat before coughing a bit of blood. This only served to tickle Travis as he struggled to pick himself up to continue the fight, amusing the boy. He tried his best to ignore the pain in his side, swiping at his opponent wildly. Unpredictability on his side, he used every part of his body capable to inflict some form of contact, but, he just couldn't seem to hit his target.

"Stop running and fight me like a man, coward!"

To his surprise, Travis did just what was demanded of him; he stopped despite the incoming punch sailing towards his face.

Liam's fist, filled with rage and vengeance, connected with full force.

Satisfaction began to grow inside of Liam only, he picked up that something was wrong.

His suspicions would prove to be correct when, despite being hit square in the mouth, it looked to have little or no effect. Not only that but, Beck had begun to laugh in response. This doesn't make any sense... he stared back, wide-eyed.

"Is that it?" the fiery-eyed boy's muffled voice managed to get out. "Or are you ready to stop wasting my time?"

"What?!"

Travis clutched the energy-shrouded limb, pulling it away without much difficulty despite Liam's force pushing against him.

"As I said, either you show me your true power," his grin swiftly morphed into one of annoyance, gripping his wrist even tighter and causing him to wince. "or stop wasting my time and DIE!"

Once again, Liam watched as flames began to flicker in his opponent's palms, gritting his fangs from the searing heat. He had little time to react aside from finally ripping his hand away. Before he knew it, he was again launched back, this time into the invisible wall that prevented him from being tossed over the side of the Asylum.

Bone crunching agony met him as he landed on his side.

While struggling to his feet, a sound caught his ears, pulling him from his strife.

A whimper.

His eyes enlarged when he discovered the source.

For the first time since entering this realm, his eyes fell upon the sight of Jade and the others. The look of agony mixed with her screams for him twisted the knife in his stomach. Never before had he seen her shed tears so openly like this and it was all his fault... at least that's what he would've believed had it not been for this demented game.

Meanwhile, Tori was calling for Travis to stop, or at least that's what it seemed like as she got into a war of words with the mastermind of this barbaric game. Wait, why was she arguing with Jibola?

In his mind, that bastard was wholly to blame for the sudden increase of misfortunes that had occurred to him. All he wanted was a normal life, to be a teen with normal teenage issues. Jade was a handful, but he'd take her attitude over this any day. Plays and performances were nothing compared to a perennial death match.

"Had enough yet?" he turned his eyes to the stoic Travis standing above him. "I don't think they can stand any more of this torment."

"You're right... I hate seeing Jade like this."

"I didn't know she COULD feel that way, honestly..."

"Yeah, well..." Liam gathered himself, brushing off the chunks of mud that clung to his body. "That last hit was a bit much. I guess it's time we finally let the cat out of the bag, huh?"

"I believe so unless you want them to kill us instead...!"

Liam allowed a pained smirk to grace his bloody lip.

"Finally..." he sighed, raising a hand that paused everyone around them. Travis took that as his cue and rushed at him at full speed, seemingly ready to end the fight once and for all. "I surrender!"

"WHAT?!" Ahrya shrieked in shock.

"I concede the fight. I quit..."

"But... But this is a fight to the death! You can't just quit!" she stomped, eyes flaring with rage. "You can't just quit!"

"That's not what that elder said..." Liam blinked innocently. "Abi... Abio...?"

"Abiola, numbnuts...!" Travis punched his shoulder playfully.

"That's right! Elder Abiola said something about the right to concede. I think she stated that if someone with a rightful claim to the throne gives up said claim, then any previously established doctrine to another."

Jibola was stunned. Ahrya was infuriated. Jade and Tori were dumbfounded. Celeste and Cecilia exchanged looks of horror and excitement. All of these expressions paled in comparison to the goofy grins that were plastered on the boy's faces. Even the winding trees that ensnared them gave up their duty as if responding to the outcome.

Between Liam's swollen eye and Travis's 'too cool' attitude, neither could blame the duo of Tori and Jade when they both roared.

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!"

Both boys shrunk as their S/Os stomped toward them, eyes ablaze with fury. While Tori jammed her finger into Travis' chest, Liam was less fortunate as he found himself rattled by the goth while being berated for not filling them in on the plan. This only served to daze the boy even more than he already was though it mattered little to the pissed-off Jade.

"How could you risk your life in some macho, bull-shit, fight like this?! You get your ass handed to you on a platter only to give up the first chance you get?! Are you that weak or just plain idiotic?!"

"We were buying time..." Jade halted her violent shaking, tilting her head in perplexion. Sensing her incoming question, Travis continued. "Before we came to find you, Abiola gave us the clue to ending this shitty game. As long as there was a rightful heir to the throne then one can relinquish their claim to it and be done with it. Unfortunately, there was one thing we aimed to do that had to stay a secret..."

"And what would that be?"

"We needed to rid our circle of Ahrya's influence. While you and Tori were targeted, it was clear that you opposed her. Liam was her enemy and I learned that my tribe was tricked by Anansi before being exiled. Andre and Cat seemed to be oblivious to all of this and we wanted to keep them out of this which leaves..."

"Robbie?" Tori gasped.

"...And her little plaything, Beck..."

"BECK?" Jade raised a dangerous brow toward the now sheepish girl.

"After Liam left school, I wondered how she could've accomplished this without any bloodshed. It took some time, but once we returned from our trip to New Orleans, I studied and found that there were hexes and spells used to establish her place at the top of the food chain, including manipulating Jade into being with me and Tori. The only one who seemed to avoid any interactions with Ahrya outright was Beck."

Liam took Jade's hand, mostly to avoid her lashing out at the girl.

"Beck was cursed, so Liam and I came up with an idea at Tori's house to try and free him from her control. Since neither of us was proficient in magic, we'd figure that we'd find something at the festival. Instead, Abiola found us and explained her plan. Her champion warned him about what Ahrya was plotting for the tribes and it only pushed us to get this done quicker..."

"...and that plot was?"

"Using me to gain access to the throne," Travis crossed his arms, averting his eyes to the ground. "Living with her, I was raised to hate anyone from the neighboring tribes, including Liam. Once I heard that he came to the school and was revealed to be a member of Aganju's bloodline, that's when the lies intensified. Long story short, he was the heir apparent to the crown, which is why she wanted him out of the picture."

"Yerba. Halloween? That's twice she's tried to eliminate him!"

"Three times, actually..."

Everyone turned to an impassive Liam, his eyes firmly locked on the fearsome Ahrya. If looks could kill, she'd been skewered and burned alive by now. Jibola stepped in between the two, shielding his offspring from the death glare. He remained silent as his resolve had crumbled.

"Are you going to tell them or should I?" he talked around the man as he touched the bite marks on his neck.

Immediately, Jade caught on to what Liam was referring to, her heart aching as the recollection of that terrible night came flooding back. The recollection of him losing his memories and acquiring such a horrific injury added to the guilt she felt. She blamed herself. She blamed Beck for convincing her to do it. But now, the accusation made changed everything.

Ahrya was the mastermind.

Just like her father, the girl had a hand in all of this! Three times she sought to eradicate the world of Liam and Jade was a part of her scheme. She wasn't sure if it was the fact that she was unknowingly involved or merely a pawn in destroying her friend back then, but one thing was certain:

Ahrya was dead...

"No, Jade," Liam calmly clutched her hand. "The truth is out now. Beck is being treated as we speak. Travis will take on the crown and we can leave with our dignity."

"But, Liam...?"

"The tribes won't accept Jibola after this! They will recognize the offspring of Esu and Anansi's reign ends tonight. Sinking to their level won't change what's happened, and we both know I would love nothing more than to rip her apart."

Jade couldn't contain her objection. Every nerve in her body compelled her to let out a war cry and destroy the fallen girl. Another hand took hers, soft and tender to the touch. She looked over to find Celeste smiling back at her. Such a gesture told her that this was over.

"You cannot change the past. As bad as you want to go back and fix things, all you can do is ensure that you're a better person for your present and future. While I can't say that I agree with my son's decision, it is his to make. Instead of choosing a life of royalty, he's decided that you are more important. Your spirit is worth more than any crown or throne!"

"I guess I didn't think of it like that..."

"Perhaps. But, never forget that someone willing to accept you despite all the worst moments deserves you at your best."

While Jade contemplated these words, Tori had her dilemma to handle. Unlike Jade, she was at risk of losing someone. It didn't take a rocket scientist to understand the seriousness of Celeste's words. While Liam was freed from such responsibilities, Travis would be bound by them. Despite this, he still maintained his grin, one that said they would discuss it soon enough.

"So... What about these two?"

"Leave them to us!"

The group turned around to find themselves flanked by a small group of elders, each one dressed in ceremonial garb. Front and center stood Abiola, a gentle and coy grin signaling she was up to something. Jibola wanted to rip his hair out when he saw her, tempted to stomp toward the hunched-over woman. Such a thought was dropped immediately when the hulking Moniade stepped beside her, sizing up the man with the foulest of snarls.

"We the elders of the Orisha tribes officially recognize Travis Garland, the descendant of Esu, as the rightful King of Orisha! Any who agrees?" The realm echoed with a symphony of 'Aye!'. "Any who disagrees?"

Silence.

"Then, by the power vested by the divine Olorun, Jibola the Usurper, you are hereby removed as the leader of the tribes. May the Omnipotent One grace you with a new place to make your home."

Jibola couldn't believe his ears. He'd been ousted, double-crossed, and out-played, by mere boys. The spawns of Esu and Aganju had managed to figure out his plot, years of scheming undone in a matter of days. His daughter had failed. He'd failed...

"You..." he seethed. "You all... Every single one of you! You would be NOTHING without me! I brought the clans to prominence! If not for me, you all would be squandering in the dirt like savages. I protected you all from the slave trade! Your children lived in a time of prosperity thanks to ME! I gave up centuries to ensure your safety and this is the thanks I get?"

"We know the truth, Anansi..." Abiola groaned to the spirit. "You only took the role after forcing Aganju to leave and destroying the reputation of our greatest warriors! Your hatred of Aganju and lust for Esu were the driving force for your actions until you realized you needed them to solidify your rule. Now, it has all backfired. You and your daughter are to leave immediately in place of harsher punishments."

All he could do was stammer at how foolish he could be. The spirit within him knew all too well the truth behind the old woman's words. The fact that this was nothing more than a quest for vengeance centered around a petty vendetta, one that cost him everything.

He said nothing, only a passing glower that failed to move the taller figure. Was this truly the end? Such a response would suggest so. The spirit of Anansi continued to scream in protest, but it did not affect the stone-faced man. The wrinkles on his face grew more present the longer he processed his position.

So this is the end...

Jibola wouldn't retaliate.

There wasn't much he could do as he moved to leave. "Let's go, Ahrya..." he heard the girl's protest but paid little mind to it. He spared a glance at the sisters, each one firing back with an evil eye of their own. When he reached the elders, he stopped only for a moment to meet the gaze of the crafty Abiola.

"From now on, those boys and their families are protected by the law of the tribes," her voice squeaked. "If you ever seek to harm them again, Jibola, you won't have to worry about your lineage."

"Will you call the cops on us, Abiola?"

"The American authorities will be the least of your issues..."

Such a bold claim betrayed her diminutive frame. Her sweet smile veiled the ferociousness behind her eyes. Jibola knew this, years together had taught him this and yet, she still managed to outplay him in this chess match.

"Farewell to you too..."

Upon their departure, the air around them all felt lighter. Tori couldn't resist the chance to hug her beau. Celeste and Cecilia, albeit reluctantly, conversed with the other elders for the first time as welcomed members of a societal group. Outcasts finally have a place to belong. However, the same couldn't be said for Liam and Jade.

While the latter wanted nothing more than to take in the moment of relief with him by her side. Sadly, such a desire would be robbed from them as the boy suddenly felt his head begin to spin. His legs began to buckle and his breathing grew shallow. The last thing he picked up was the sound of his beloved screaming his name as he fell back to the ground below.

Guess I got hit harder than I thought...


How much time had passed?

One could never answer that question when they were unconscious. Liam was no exception to this law, silently floating in the blissful embrace of the void. The sanctuary of darkness would no longer be viable though as a bright light suddenly pierced the inky abyss. Begrudgingly, Liam opened his eyes wincing internally at the sharpness hitting his eyes.

Groaning softly, he began to make out images around him, the first one being his mother sitting off at his desk. It was then that he understood that he was in his living room; He was home. Such a realization wasn't lost on him as he noticed many of his friends also sleeping soundly, each one scattered around his humble abode.

Looks like the gang's all here, he chuckled to himself.

This only set off a shifting form on his chest. He didn't have to look to know who it was. Her whimper was enough to determine her identity, much to his amusement. Her warm body shuffled slightly against his torso forcing him to commit to waking up, even if his pounding head urged him otherwise.

"Don't even think about it..." she murmured lazily, though her lips twisted mischievously. "You're in no condition to be moving around recklessly after what you endured."

Liam chuckled softly, brushing his fingers through her hair.

"And what if I refuse your prognosis, Nurse West?" he whispered, the tenderness in his voice washing over Jade refreshingly. She couldn't resist drawing closer to him, allowing her mind to wander at the possibilities of playing such a role. "Jade?"

"Hmm?"

"What are you thinking?" Liam raised an eyebrow before feeling something below his waist, forcing a sharp hiss of pleasure and embarrassment. "Jade?!"

"I know, I know..." she teased. Liam glared at her, though any malice was absent.

"You like playing with fire, don't you?"

"Only when it comes to you, Tiger," she playfully flicked his nose. "Can you blame me when all I want is to kiss you deeply? But, we both know the trouble that would cause."

Liam's heart clenched hearing the truth of her words.

"So, are you saying you're done with the danger and chaos?"

"After potential death matches, ridding the world of a snarky and dumb wannabe villain, watching you get electrocuted and beat up, being kidnapped by a psychopathic girl..."

"I get it." Jade smiled at his faux annoyance.

"Despite all of that, I wouldn't say that I'm done with it all. Perhaps we'd call it a break instead?"

Liam rolled his eye at such a Jade-esque reply. It didn't help when he winced from the injured eye. Jade just stared at the swollen mouse that blocked his vision. Regardless of this, he still smiled as if nothing happened. That was always his style, laugh in the face of danger as if it were nothing. The only time he managed to break this facade was when he noticed she was upset.

"Hey..."

"H-hey..." she averted her gaze only to have it returned by a lone pointer softly lifting her chin. "Tiger?"

Liam leaned in, gingerly claiming her lips with his own, prompting a light squeak that Jade only hoped no one else had heard. She didn't have long to wonder as she felt herself melt into her boyfriend's arms; those strong arms that both protected and cared for her. She wrapped her own limbs around his neck, deepening their lip lock.

"Ahem..." Lucille cleared her throat, spoiling their moment. "Some of us are awake, you know?"

Feeling a bit of her old persona return from its minor hiatus, the pale smirked.

"I charge fifty bucks for spectators and one hundred if you want to join."

"Jade!"

If possible, Lucille suddenly felt the urge to murder the goth, who accentuated her teasing with a wink. It was only thanks to her ex, Beck whispering something in her ear that she didn't go through with it. Meanwhile, Tori had joined up with her two significant others, amused at how the pair interacted. Liam was not. In his eyes, Beck was getting a little too friendly with his sibling, triggering his possessive nature. Sure, he'd only known Lucille for some months but, the principle still stood. It didn't make things better when she let out a playful giggle, accompanied by a longing gaze at the boy once compared to Aladdin.

"I think he and I need to have a talk..." he muttered darkly only to have a hand hold his chest.

"Let it go," she chuckled. "We have more important things for you to be concerned with."

His protest was hushed by another kiss while the others began to wake. Travis and Tori smiled from their spot near the kitchen while Andre and Cat snuggled closer. Beck and Lucille pretended to ignore the display but both were happy that the pair were happy. Lastly, Celeste and Cecilia watched with a mix of motherly jealousy and pride in their offspring.

The potential threat was stopped before it could metastasize and that was all that mattered. Unknown to the boy, he'd been unconscious for nearly a week, but he'd find out eventually. Celeste was able to get a pass from the principal, citing an illness. Sure, there were obstacles for them to face, but for now, only one thing mattered to them.

The children were safe.